Assembly inquiry into Welsh Government funding of film and TV production industry

An opportunity to have your say on support for film and television in Wales.

A new inquiry from a National Assembly committee will examine how effective government support and funding has been for film and TV production in Wales.

Since 1999 there has been large growth in the film and TV production sector in Wales, and across the UK. Growth has been significantly faster in Wales than any other part of the country. However, the sector in Wales still forms far less than a population-based share of the sector in the UK as a whole (Between 1999 and 2016, Welsh GVA in this area has grown from 1.1% of the UK total to 1.8% of the UK total).

Funding from the Welsh Government's Media Investment Budget is provided on conditions including that at least 50 per cent of the production is shot in Wales, and 40 per cent of the below the line production budget must be spent in Wales. 'Below the line' expenditure refers to money spent on the production of the film, rather than the creative direction (i.e. not spent on, for example, the screenwriter, producer, director, and actors).

However, the Committee is also interested in finding out whether enough is being done to grow a domestic film industry and encourage film-makers to tell stories about Wales which can be sold across the world.

The Welsh Government has also provided funding for a number of film and television studios, including Wolf Studios and Pinewood Studios, both based in Cardiff.

"Wales has a rich and vibrant creative sector and the steady growth of investment in major film and tv productions are, on the face of it, very encouraging," said Bethan Sayed AM, Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee. "Harry Potter, Snow White and the Huntsman and Captain America are just a few movies at least filmed partly in Wales, and it is clear major Hollywood studios and smaller independent film companies can find the locations, resources and talent they need to bring their ideas to life.

"We want to know what the wider benefit is for Wales, both economically and culturally, and whether the Welsh Government's multi-millions pounds investments are delivering value for money."